A2 APPROACHES &
RESEARCH METHODS
HOW TO ANSWER PART B IN
THE EXAM
Part B of G544: 50% of exam & 45
minutes
• Sections a - e: mark scheme is set but questions may
differ slightly.
• Q(a): Describe: ie; issue, debate, method, approach (4)
• Q(b): Describe evidence; refer to two or more
theories/studies from AS or A2 (8)
• Q c): Evaluate: can be strengths & weaknesses,
similarities & differences; 2+2. Refer to evidence. (12)
• Q(d): Evaluate: can be compare/contrast or
strength/weakness. Refer to evidence. (8)
• Q(e): Discuss: in reference to an issue (eg; usefulness,
reductionism, determinism, etc.). Aim for 3 points.
Refer to evidence. (8)
• ELABORATION is important throughout!
(b) Describe evidence which illustrates
the behaviourist approach (8)
• ‘One study that used behavioural methods
to improve health adherence is Watt et al.
This study used operant conditioning as a
learning technique to encourage children to
take medication for asthma. Here the
‘Funhaler’ had incentive toys such as
spinners & whistles which would function if
the child inhaled the medication
effectively. These acted as positive
reinforcers for the desired behaviour
(deep breathing) and indeed, improved
correct asthma medication regimes
compared to standard inhalers.’
(b) Describe…..(continued)
Refer to & explain behaviourist learning in study
• ‘Another study that illustrates the
behaviourist approach is Bandura’s study on
‘Transmission of aggression through
imitation of aggressive models’.
Bandura gave support to Social Learning
Theory…………………………………………………………………
by……..
c) Discuss the strengths and limitations of
explaining behaviour using the behaviourist
approach (12)
• One limitation of the behaviourist approach is that
it can be seen as reductionist; it oversimplifies the
influence of learning on behaviour whilst not
recognising the role of biological, cognitive, or
emotional factors. For example, in Watt’s study of
adherence using the Funhaler it is assumed that
operant conditioning is a successful technique, yet
ignores the possiblity that children’s interest may
decrease as the device loses it’s novelty and they
may become more bored or rebellious. In this way
it can’t account for the complexity of human
nature…..
c) Discuss strengths & limitations…(continued)
• ‘One strength of explaining behaviour using the
behaviourist approach is that it has useful
applications in many areas of human behaviour. For
example Savage-Rumbaugh showed how chimps can
learn language in a structured environment through
social learning & reinforcements. This finding
directly contributed to language programs for
special educational needs children with language
deficiencies.
In the area of health…….